Keep your creativity flowing with Fishamble's #TinyPlayChallengeIn these challenging times, Fishamble - along with many of our colleagues in the wider Irish artistic community - is working hard to keep imaginations lively, communities engaged - and most of all offer people the opportunity of creative expression. We asked our audiences: Would you welcome the challenge of exploring your thoughts and feelings through drama? Do you have a dramatic story that you feel the urge to work out for yourself, and maybe share with your fellow citizens?​Below is one of the chosen plays from our weekly submissions.

Stay Awhile by Ann Sheehy

(Lights up on Room 220 at Our Lady’s Hospice.Maurice is sitting in a chair next to his hospital bed, looking through binoculars out the window.Julie has just arrived and is disinfecting her hands by the sink.)

Maurice: I do believe I see a thrush! Lovely song this time of year. (He regards Julie.) Julie. How is my Sally?Julie: She sends her love, as usual.Maurice: She is the love of my life. Do you think they will let her visit?Julie: Maybe. In a couple of weeks, Maurice, that would probably be best.Maurice: A couple of weeks.Julie: You feeling ok? The pain managed?Maurice: Yes, yes, pretty much so.Julie: (Holding up a bag.) I got those yogurts you like – I’ll put them in the fridge. And look what I found – a dark mint chocolate Easter Egg!Maurice: But it’s not Easter.Julie: Well I didn’t want to chance it… that they’d run out of your favourite. Oh jeez, you still like chocolate, don’t you?Maurice: Sure, sure. You got any of those banana muffins in that bag?Julie: Absolutely.Julie and Maurice: No nuts!!Maurice: It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s my damned teeth! Why don’t you take off your coat, stay for a while. Tell me about Sally, does she miss me?Julie: (Stays standing on the opposite side of the bed.) Well, she really is something else – so beautiful and of course she misses you. Maurice: Are you brushing her hair every day?Julie: Yes, yes, a hundred strokes. We go out three times a day. This morning we went to the park and she rolled in a worm.Maurice: Cheeky girl. Sure she loves a good roll. My sweet Sally. Oh, I wish you would bring her – say she’s my therapy dog … something. How’s she getting along with Clarice?Julie: I found them snuggled up together on the bed.Maurice: No!Julie: Companionship. They miss you, Maurice, but they are being well looked after, I promise. Everyone on the road asks for you and send their love. Winnie still wants that cup of tea.Maurice: I know. I know. I think they must be short-staffed, my breakfast and shower were later than usual and it is past twelve and they haven’t served lunch.Julie: Well then, how about that muffin? Then I will have to go.Maurice: Julie… They told me this morning…Julie: I know. You know I will come see you as soon as I can.Maurice: Yes. Thank you, Julie, thank you for all of it.(Lights fade.)Ann Sheehy is a once and future actor, also a mother, currently teaching Pilates and other body-awareness classes. She took Fishamble's Intensive Weekend Playwriting course last year and has been working on that among other things creative. She is on Facebook as ann.sheehy.58.